Comparison of different Horst Moabit 615 / 616

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Dear Lars,

congratulations to your collection of Horst Moabit restraints, and thanks for bringing up this topic!

You are right, the hinged cuffs are the model 615, but only when they are made of steel. The lightweight cuffs are the model 617. Although these cuffs are thicker they are rather brittle, I have come across more than one of these "lightweight" cuffs with a bow broken.

Please have a look at these scans for further information:







The Horst Stein company never produced any restraints, these were made on the company's behalf. Firstly cuffs and leg-irons were made be Kurt Metk. He was the person to whom four trademark registrations regarding handcuffs were assigned. Restraints from his workshop can be identified by means of the "KM"-logo that is stamped on the large rivet-heads:



At some time Kurt Metk stopped the manufacturing and another producer, whose name is still unknown, took over. These more recently made restraints have larger lockcases, which makes them heavier. They do not have the "KM"-logo stamped on.

Best wishes,

Michael

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Hi guys,

Horst Moabit is an interesting topic, thanks for bringing it up.

I thought it could be interesting to add the "small key" versions to the discussion. These versions
are later than 615/617 and 616/618.



This is the rare version made of aluminium; Model 676. Weight. 251 gram


This is the painted steel version of 675. The bows have the same serrations as 615/627, 616/618 and 676 above.
Weight: 530 gram


This is a very late 675 which I bought directly from the factory in Munich in 1983. The swivel is different and
heavier but the great difference is that this version has serrations and not the milled holes in the bows. On the side of the
cuff there is a set screw which makes the lock case removable.


Serrated bow and set screw for lock.


The key hole on this cuff is lower positioned compared to the two other versions. None of them are stamped "KM" which mean they were
manufactured by another company than Kurt Metk in Berlin.
Weight: 600 gram

Best,

Lars

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Great thread!
I never knew so much about these cuffs.
The 3 above posts taught me more about these than all the knowledge I had amassed over the years.
I can't wait to learn what information is forthcomming when this thread becomes 20 or 30 blogs long.
Maybe we should all meet in Germany next year to discuss this further.



mark
O--O

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

You not know something? That amounts to an amazement amassed by all the handcuff buffs in the universe!

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

A great Post-Chasing variation is fun but can be frustrating and expensive.

Damon

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Kram Snoyl is a fucking idiot

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Hi folks!

What was the price range of these restraints when the factory was still in business? How much would a pair of 675 from 1983 cost in comparison to the other restraints that were available on the market?

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Kram Snoyl sucks his fathers dick too

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Kram Snoyl sucks his fathers dick too

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Hi Borut,

Theses handcuffs were quite expensive at the time, compared to other brands.

I don't know the price converted to US dollars but I paid 80 DM + shipping
in 1983 and I remember them as very expensive.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Great stuff, guys! Thank you, especially Michael and Lars for posting their detailed information.

80 Marks back then feels to me like maybe 120.- Euros today. The fact is we've had an inflation of 50% since the year 1990, the year of our reunification. Adjust that a little bit ... .

To the gentlemen using the derogatory language: please take your business elsewhere. Joe, could you edit that, please?

Have a great weekend,

Nils

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Hi all,

Looking for a key for my Horst Moabit handcuff !! Mine are the 600g ones, marked in the pic as 3
Any idea from were I can purchase one ??

Thank for your help !!

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Hi Nils,

The 90 DMark I paid in 1983 was a lot of money for me as I was young and not very wealthy.

Your 120 euro estimate might very well be correct.

I have attached another unusul Horst Moabit, the model 608 which is a waist chain built on Model 616
in steel.



I was incorrect in my posting of the "small key versions". I discovered both the 676 (aluminium) and
painted 675 have the "KM" stampings on the lock house, they were consequently manufactured by Kurt Metk
in Berlin.

@Joseph; a spare key for Horst Moabit is very hard to come by. The best chance is if Ian McColl have
any reproduction keys for sale.

Lars

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Sorry but I couldn't refrain from posting another photo of a strange variation.

At first sight, it seems like two identical 616. Have a closer look. The cuff on the bottom is an
ordinary 616 but the cuff above is a earlier variation. First, the bows are thinner; like on Damon's
cuffs. The most interesting deviation is that the key hole is located on "the wrong side".

The standard version has the "KM" stampings at the hinges, the odd one has no stampings at all.
The welding is very rough which makes be believe this is some kind of forerunner in production.

If you have an odd Horst Moabit in you collection, please post some photos!

Lars

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Dear friends,

I recently compared some of the different Horst Moabit models I have, especially the 615 hinge type. As it turns out, they are quite different in weight and dimension.

Number 2 weighs 640 grams and has a coating, similar to no. 1 (616).

Number 3 weighs 610 grams and has a smooth surface. Marked "T52".

Number 4 weighs 502 grams, is lighter but thicker (!). Marked "T52L" and "6", for "light" I presume.

I always thought a 615 was a 615. I couldn't find any dates on the cuffs.

Kind regards
Nils

Click to expand...

Hello Nils,

are there really no dates on your cuffs? Usually there is a number on the side and this number represents AFAIK month and year of production, e.g. "357" for March 1957.

Best regards,
Guenter

PS: I remember that at the end of the 1980s S&W M-100 were sold for DM 99,- in Munich, so DM 80,- is not too expensive IMHO.